King Of The Skies

Chapter 9

Kage, Flight Ring 5, Base Nidus, 2: 30 pm

"I really don't have time for this Kit Whistle," if Kage had a shot for every time Kit Whistle bothered him this week, he'd have died from alcohol poisoning on Wednesday evening.

"You make time for those worthless orphans, so make time for me," Kit Whistle spat.

Kage sent him a death glare. "You are not my priority. Leave me alone. That's an order from a Commander, so obey it."

Kit Whistle had followed Kage around all week, constantly asking questions and demanding answers, even threatening him. Kage has done his best to avoid him and ignore his remarks. Now he was at the end of his tether.

"You and I both know those orphans aren't worth your time, so why waste energy trying to protect them?" Kit Whistled sneered.

Kage lost it, he rounded on his former friend. "Don't you remember what it was like? What it was like having no one? Being alone in a place where nobody cared or gave a damn about you? Remember that fear, and if you do, know why I protect my Squad. Not just as their Commander, but as someone who'll pick them up and help them survive this hell of a haven."

Kit was taken aback by Kage's words. He was quick to come up with a retort. "You're wasting your time with them. Once they come of age they'll die on their own. All of them are pointless."

"Were we pointless, Kit? Was Commander Diomedea wasting her time with us? Did we die when we came of age?" Kage fixed a cold glare on Kit, Kage kept going. "Are they pointless because of their lack of parentage? Or are my cadets pointless because, for fledglings, they seem to be able to have the same abilities as second year cadets?"

Kit breathed in to argue, another voice cut in. "Commander Grimmel, Cadet Whistle, good to see both of you together."

"First Admiral Diomedea," Kage addressed her. Kit went rigid.

She looked over Kit Whistle with cold black eyes. "Aren't you supposed to be training, Cadet Whistle?"

"My apologies, First Admiral, if you'll excuse me," Kit glared once again at Kage before flying off.

First Admiral Diomedea faced Kage. "You've never given up on him. Why?"

Kage sighed and relaxed his shoulders. "We were just chicks, I won't let this place corrupt him too."

First Admiral Diomedea looked over him. "Come with me, Kage, I need to talk with you about your cadets."

"I am currently occupied Ma'am," Kage really didn't want to have his cadets out of his sight.

She looked at him over her shoulder. Kage swallowed and followed, hoping they wouldn't stray to far. They walked over to the edge of the roof, overlooking the inside of the army base. The Central Gardens and Common Grounds far below them, the ponds shining in the afternoon sun. Kage remembered looking down for the first time, thinking it was such a long drop when in reality, he could easily land safely.

"I want to discuss Lyn Cor's future with you," First Admiral Diomedea started. "She has some amazing potential within her. I'd love to do some further training."

Kage smiled. "She really is something to admire isn't she? But I'm afraid I can't let you train with her. She's not one for following orders and being obedient."

"She's a crow, I'm sure she's fairly intelligent," First Admiral Diomedea looked perplexed.

"She's a raven, and yes, she is incredibly intelligent, just what she decides to do with her brain is something to drive you insane," Kage puffed his wings up. He knew First Admiral Diomedea only wanted to help Lyn improve, but Lyn wasn't one to leave her Squad.