Upon The Winds Of Dubiety

But that was only the beginning of it. The older he became, the less he seemed to be able to control himself. His spirit had an affinity for chaos. And when biological changes hit him, there was even less control to be found. The rules, proper knochen behavior, the strict guidelines on where to be and how to act instilled in him since birth- none of it meant anything to him anymore, and soon the rest of the tribe knew him for it- especially when they all had to endure the consequences.

*The adolescents are all with one another this afternoon. The adults have given them some space to be with each other as long as they stay around the space. Conversation is taking place amongst them all, but the more time passes, the less potent it becomes. Esredes lies down in the grass, idly listening to the exchanges going on, trying to let it occupy the space in his mind.
Adolescent: So the elder told me this knochen was the size of a whale, and she had the longest tail you'd ever seen. Could you imagine that surfacing out of the water to talk?
Adolescent: Whoa, now that's an image.
Adolescent: Think a big sea knochen like that would ever be interested in small land dwellers like us?
*There's a round of laughter from the adolescents. One female next to the adolescent that said that punches him playfully.*
Adolescent: You stop that! *She's barely holding back her laughter*
Adolescent: One day when our wings are strong enough, we should all fly to the ocean to see for ourselves.
Adolescent: Yeah, that'd be awesome!
Adolescent: Yeah, it would...
*There's an awkward pause following that, the times of which there has been one today Esrey has lost count of. He sighs, and stands up.*
Esredes: Guys, we've been at this trying to keep conversation going for an hour now. I don't know how much longer we can do this.
Adolescent: Well do you have anything interesting to tell the group?
Esredes: I do, as a matter of fact. Let's be honest with ourselves for a moment. There's not much we can do around here to keep ourselves interested. These plains are boring.
Adolescent: Yeah, sure, they kind of are, but what else can we do? We can't go anywhere else.
Esredes: Why not? The adults aren't going to check on us for another few hours. We have time to explore a little. It'll definitely give us more to talk about.
Adolescent: Explore where…?
Esredes: Outside the plain. Over the barrier. There's got to be something worth seeing there.
Adolescent: Over the barrier? Can we even make it over it?
Esredes: Of course we can, it's not that tall. We all know how to fly.
Esredes: Come on, we're all tired of the plain and we know it. Let's do something exciting. The adults will never know.
*The adolescents exchange looks with one another.*
Adolescent: He does have a point.
Adolescent: I kind of want to know what's beyond the plain…
Adolescent: I still think it's a bad idea.
Esredes: If you're too scared of the unknown to want to discover it, you might as well stay here. But I want something new.
Adolescent: I'll go with you! You're totally right, it's boring just sitting around and never doing anything. I'm sick of it.
Adolescent: I will too, but only if we make absolutely sure to be back soon. I do not want to have the adults on my ass if we get caught.
Esredes: Give it before the sun begins to set. The adults won't get us until the hunters return.
Adolescent: That's true… All right, I'm in.
*A few more adolescents hesitantly agree to go. The pressure in turn makes the other adolescents agree. Esrey smiles, glad to have convinced them all.*
Esredes: So everyone's in? Let's go to the barrier then. I'll lead.
*The adolescents follow him, the group departing for the edge of the plains, where the golden grass begins to give way to trees and a forest floor. A short trek into it reveals the reason for the adolescent's concerns. In front of them stands trees, trees thick in diameter and twice as tall as the other ones. They are all lined up right next to each other, making it impossible to get between them without flying over. The elders claimed a goddess put them there to protect the plains, but the adolescents have no way of knowing if this is true or not. Either way, upon gazing up at their massive size, some of the adolescents grow nervous.*
Adolescent: I still think they're too big for us…
Esredes: Don't be a coward. We can easily clear them. *He stretches out his wings, then pushes off the ground. He circles around, then flies upward, circling a couple more times before finally gaining enough height to soar over the top of the branches. He descends to the ground and lands several feet away, then looks back. After a few moments, more knochen appear over the trees, and soon the entire group lands near him.*
Adolescent: Whoa, that was awesome!
Adolescent: I think I almost fell down out of fright.
Adolescent: I didn't know I could do that! I'm feeling pumped about going outside now!
Esredes: I told you all it'd be no big deal. They're just trees. Now come on, let's go.
*The adolescents follow Esredes as he leads them away from the barrier and into the forest. The atmosphere feels much different from the perpetual calmness of the plains. The trees stretch into the sky all above, casting heavy shadows on the ground, branches partially blocking the sun. As they continue walking, some of the adolescents grow nervous.*
Adolescent: This place is seriously really creepy.
Adolescent: We shouldn't have come here. What if we run into a human?
Adolescent: ...Do humans live here?
Esredes: Oh, we're fine. There's no living things in sight.
Adolescent: You're not scared at all, are you?
Esredes: Nope, not one bit. I'm kind of disappointed. I expected something more interesting than just trees.
*A rustling noise is heard from a nearby bush.*
Adolescent: What was that??
Adolescent: Oh god, I bet it's a human. We're doomed.
Esredes: All of you be quiet. *He watches the bush carefully. A moment later, a rabbit runs out from it, pauses to look at the group, then speeds off into the woods.*
Esredes: *he smiles* See? It's nothing. You all need to relax. Now let's do something fun while we're out here.
*The forest isn't as interesting as everyone had hoped, but they take advantage of the taller trees to climb them and have a flying competition. After an hour of being out in the forest, they all begin to head back towards the barrier. But before the barrier is even in sight, the group spots figures flying towards them above.*
Adolescent: Oh my god, I knew this would get us in the ass. We are so dead.
*Before the group can try to react, the knochen descend and land in front of them, likely aided by the breeze. The group now faces four adults.*
Adult: There you all are! What are you doing out here?!
*The entire group is silent. They know they're in trouble. All they can do is follow the adults back to the plains as the search is called off. Soon enough they are all standing in front of the leader of the tribe, surrounded by the adults on all sides.*
Leader: So let me get this straight. All of you- every single one- left the territory to go into the woods.
*There's silence from the adolescents, but that only confirms it.*
Leader: We gave you space and you took advantage of it. Unbelievable. You all know very well our rules don't allow you to leave this territory until you come of age. It is dangerous outside. Humans are known to be out there. You could have gotten yourselves in danger.
Leader: Know that I am deeply ashamed of you all today. I expected you to know better than this.
Leader: And I know some of you do know better. You must have been influenced into the act by your fellow tribemates. How did this idea come to be?
*There's silence again, but only for a second.*
Adolescent: It was Esrey's idea! He convinced us we should go out.
Adolescent: And he called us cowards for not wanting in.
Esredes: ! *He feels all the attention turn onto him.* [Some tribemates you all are, throwing me out like that!]
Leader: I should have guessed. Of course it was you. *He takes a few steps forward, placing himself in front of Esrey. The others all back up. Esrey stares back at the leader's burning gaze, trying to maintain his composure despite his dread.*
Leader: Most of the young ones follow the rules just fine. They know how to be good knochen. Except you. You understand nothing about the world and your place in it. And now you're trying to corrupt the others to be the same way.
Leader: I won't allow it. You may try to remain a stubborn troublemaker for as long as you think you can, but you won't be spreading your disease to anyone else.
Leader: And the rest of you are just as guilty for listening to him. You should know by this point that he seeks to do nothing but lead you astray. A shame on all of you for letting him do so.
Leader: For your actions here today, all of you will be helping the adults with labor tasks for the next week. There will be no excuses. Now, all are dismissed. Think about your actions for the rest of the day.
*The meeting begins to disperse, but not before several adolescents whisper angry comments to Esrey as they pass by him. One comments that he always ruins everything.*
Esredes: *It's all he can do to keep his mouth shut and simply clench his fists.* [All of them can go eat maggots. Everyone in this place is AWFUL and I HATE IT ALL.] *He slinks off to go be alone with his anger.*