King Of The Skies

Chapter 23

Jasper, Palace Cubitum, Inner City, 11:19 pm

Jasper had never been so confused in his life. One minute he was wrangling the Prince away from a wingless rebel, the next minute, those wingless rebels are congratulating him on his good work. They were also calling him Jackson, so that confused him even more.

Kai had a gag stuffed into his mouth with his hands and wings tied in a brace behind his back. He kept death glaring Jasper the entire time.

How the Doves do I tell this panicking Prince that I ain't Jackson? Jasper was surprised that he hadn't passed out from confusion, so he decided to play along with the wingless rebels and see how long he could be 'Jackson' for.

The wingless rebel next to him pulled off their mask, a scar filled face smiled at him. "You know, Jack, I never doubted you for a second."

"I sure did," the wingless rebel pushing Kai said. "How could we trust someone who was so close to Kage Grimmel?"

"Yeah, but he pulled through, didn't he?" The first wingless rebel smiled.

Ha ha, yeah, what in the name of the Doves in going on? Jasper panicked internally, he kept his face still as stone, hoping he made a good impression of his twin.

"Lord Killigan is waiting in the top Hall for us, he's gonna be so happy with you!" The first wingless rebel cheered again, a bounce to his step.

Theres more floors to this place? How many floors have we already walked up?

Kai thrashed in his captures grip, his squawks muffled by his gag. The wingless holder kicked Kai's leg and gave a solid punch to his stomach. "Stop wiggling you overpriced worm!"

The wingless rebels led them both up through extravagant staircases and empty halls. Jaspers wings itched to fly, it would be easy to shake off the rebels, but that would most likely get them both shot dead.

They passed the Hall of Wings and Skies, the doors blown off and showing the ruined hall. Kai made a choking sound when he looked inside at the rubble. The roof and walls were trashed, the thrones ruined and the banner ripped. There were still bodies from the first attack under the rubble, Jasper could see pairs of wings amongst the rocks.

What about the Squads First General Barbatus deployed? What happened to them where are they? Jasper panicked again but steeled his face to be as bored as ever. His list of questions kept getting longer with each step. Jasper felt his heart plummet as he realised what happened to them, all shot dead. No one is coming, because no one knows we're here.

Kai kept squirming in his bonds, his screeches muffled by the gag. The rebel holding his hands punched him in the gut again, Kai doubled over in pain. "That's right, little Princey, nice and easy."

Hey mother-flocker that's what I call him. Jasper struggled to keep his face blank, he bit his tongue so hard he drew blood. He let the iron taste of it clear his head. They reached another marble staircase. The banisters were a tangle of feathers carved from solid marble, the whole staircase was intricately designed with feathers and clouds. Ahead of them, large oak wood doors with heavy golden handles stood closed.

They approached the doors, Jasper wanted time to stop, he wanted everything to stop. He didn't want to be here, he hoped what he thought was true wasn't. One of the wingless rebels pushed open the heavy doors, Kai kept squirming in the ropes, his voice muted by the gag. The wingless rebels walked further into the open hall. Jasper tried not to look impressed, Jackson wouldn't be.