Jaybird's Flight

Rotunda's People

"Ridley! Stop flirting; you need to pay attention," Hunter whispers.

"I wasn't flirting. Besides, it's not like I haven't heard this before," I whisper back.

"Shhhhh! Shan is getting up," he "whispers" loud enough that the people on the other side of the chamber probably heard him. I just roll my eyes and wink at my best friend across the room, Landon, whom I wasn't flirting with. I turn my attention to my clan, the Jay Clan, leader.

"I do agree that we should continue training, Paramine, but I do not think that we should prepare for an assault openly, that did not work in the days of war," Shan says.

They speak of war and violence I can't remember; I was still an infant when it happened. It was a hundred years ago, and I didn't know or understand what was going on in the world outside. Ainsima and Shan were already in Rotunda when they had me. They've told me everything that happened along with my instructors, who've recollected their experiences of when the world became hell. All of my memories are their memories.

Rotunda, before the takeover, was just a research and training facility for an army, but now it is the only place in the world dictators and gangs can't reach. The people of Rotunda train for the day we are sent out to restore the peace, which the clan leaders say will be soon. 

I side glance Landon, who is in the Scarlet Clan, and he catches my eye and sticks out his tongue. I reply with a nose scrunch and a rude hand gesture. Hunter, who is in my clan, nudges me, telling me to stop my "flirting."

The marble chamber is a circular area with several balconies all along the top, which look down on the seats and desks of the clan leaders. In the center are a rostrum and a throne-like chair where the chamber leader sits. The Jay Clan balcony is right to the center-back, and Shan's desk is on the left side. His pinched eyebrows and fierce expression are something I could spot miles away. He is determined to win this debate.

I'm given a perfect view of his crisp, white hair and blue-grey eyes. I take after him when it comes to looks; I have light grey, almost blue, eyes and snow-white hair. The only difference is that I have cadet blue streaks in mine. I also have pale blue markings on both temples, identifying my clan. 

"An open assault would let the neighboring areas know we are going to attack. They would have time to prepare a defense, and the assault would be suicide," Shan declares. I can't see Paramine's face from this angle, but the way he relaxes and stiffens his shoulders suggests he agrees while upset that he was disproven. 

I try to meet Landon's dark eyes again, but he is suddenly focused on Shan. Fine, I'll pay attention too.

"We need to train and prepare quietly so the different attacks can be swift with minimum casualties." Even though what Shan said was the most logical thing ever stated in a chamber meeting, most of the chamber starts to clap.

"Unfortunately, we are out of time. That last statement from Shan of the Jay Clan will conclude the chamber meeting," booms Pollux, the chamber leader. A slight yawn to his tone. I suspect that he, like everyone else, knew how this meeting was going to end before it began. 

"In the conclusion of the meeting, we will continue to train but also start to prepare attacks discreetly. Is that right, Agatha?" The frail note keeper at his side nods quickly. "Right, then the chamber is dismissed. Please exit each section in a calm and fashionable manner. Let's not have a repeat of what happened last time. Ahem, Castor clan!" 

There are several snickers from the younger ones as they are reminded of the incident that happened last week. A couple of boys from Castor thought rushing through the crowd and jumping off the walls was a good idea. It ended up causing a human domino effect with limbs flailing everywhere. It took hours to restore order.