King Of The Skies

Chapter 10

Jasper, Orphan Common Room, Base Nidus, 4: 50 pm

"Are you okay?"

Jasper was so sick of cadets asking him that. "Leave me alone."

It had been two days since the clash with the Royals happened, Jasper and his Squad had been avoiding them like the plague. Jaspers whole demeanour had changed in that time, and the others were catching on. He was left shaken after the confrontation, he had guilt, rage, disgrace and shame choking on him.

He barley talked to anyone, not even his usual banter duels with Jackson. He just stared forward blankly and did what he was told. Kage made sure he was never left alone. Either Kage or one of his Squad mates was right next to him. When Jasper woke up in Kage's bed after the clash, Kage let him sit next to window in silence.

Jasper couldn't bring himself to look anyone in eyes, he couldn't even bring himself to speak. He didn't trust his own voice, his own actions. He was completely silent and emotionless. Jackson was more lively than Jasper, and that's what rattled the Squad the most.

"Oh come on," Riley, Orphan Squad 9, a young peppy pygmy falcon who was now bothering Jasper as he sat silent in the Orphan Common Room. "How bad can this really be?"

Rileys puffy hair bounced as she sat down next to Jasper on the couch. She started to count all the good things on her long fingers. "We have the Royals and the Royal Guard visiting, in the next few weeks we get deployed to the Split Valleys for some serious trainings and we have the super cool Second Sergeant Evan Pied teaching us in Flight Training!"

Jasper let her ramble on, criticising everything she said mentally. Since his Squad was ranked higher than Riley's, he has already been to Split Valleys. It was the most basic training he had ever been too. They gave the orphan cadets wooden rifles and conducted basic tactics in the rocky valley. Jasper was glad he was holding real guns in his trainings.

Second Sergeant Evan Pied wasn't that great, his black and white plumage made him look flashy but he had no teaching skills whatsoever. Jasper hated how basic his classes were. He didn't even let them use the lasers in Flight Ring 2.

"Hey Poli, shove off," Lyn stood in front of them with her hand on her hip.

Riley glared up at her. "Can't you ask more nicely, crow."

"Don't feel like it. Now scram," Lyn flicked her head.

Riley huffed but sent a flashy smile at Jasper. "I'll see you at dinner Jassy."

Lyn watched her leave and stole her place. "Was she dropped as an egg? You know she is completely smitten for you, it's disgusting."

Jasper shrugged and crossed his legs on the stout table in front of them. Lyn settled into her seat and folded her arms. The sleeves of her leather jacket had metal stitching, creating a scar-like look on her arms.

"Thank Icarus we don't train with them anymore, I think I'd kill one of them," Lyn said.

Jasper didn't mind it when Lyn was watching over him. She never asked any questions and only talked when she needed to. Her attempt at conversation made Jasper inquisitive.

"Okay, I'll get straight to the point," Lyn huffed and faced Jasper.

"I'm gonna stop you right there, my answer is no," Jasper didn't move, but he knew Lyns expression was stunned.

"I didn't even get to say anything!" Lyn crowed back.

"Don't care, no," Jasper looked out the window. He was grateful that the Orphan Common Room had a view that faced the outside of the facility. The window overlooked the Wave Pool. He watched as older cadets dived into the deep and ravenous waters.