Warlands of Song

Twenty-Five: Glen

Staring up at his ceiling, Glen pondered his he could possible avoid what he was about to have to do. He didn't want to go. For the first time in so, so long, he considered acting ill to get out of his job. He didn't have to go to war. He didn't have to go rescue an innocent and destroy a trafficking ring. No, all he had to do was go and teach a young, extremely confused little girl who had more power than sense. He had to pretend to hate her, putting on an act both for the people who employed him and the girl herself. But it was time for him to go, so he peeled himself off the bed and went to change into his training gear.

The walk to the facilities he'd been granted access to, specifically for Saige's training, was long. It was made even longer by his dread and reluctance. Why couldn't Carter have been allowed to come with him? His friend would at least keep him in check, as Saige would no doubt attempt to push him to his limits and beyond. That was just her nature, even when she wasn't trying. It was something he'd liked about her, but now it would simply be a nuisance.

When he reached the gym he was meant to be in, he paused and lay his head against the door. Did he really have the strength to do this? To train someone he cared about yet act as though he loathed her? He had to. Robert no doubt would have scolded him for how he'd responded to her admission. His partner had always been better at reading people. He'd never quite learned the skill from him.

He entered the room with an air of arrogance and impatience, only to find the room empty. Hadn't they sent Saige ahead of him? Was he meant to go and get her himself? He waited, but just before he was about to go and find her himself, the doors opened and a young solder dragged her inside by the arm. As she was much smaller than the man, she had to run to avoid being literally dragged across the floor.

The man stopped with her, right in front of Glen, and shoved her away.

"Sorry for the delay, Commander," the kid snapped, glaring at Saige, who openly glared back. "She was slow getting dressed. We had to wake her up and all.

Glen nodded, looking Saige over. She wore no bruises that he could see, but then again he wouldn't have seen even if there were any. She was far too dark for him to notice. The way she'd been dragged, however... there had to be bruises left by the young soldier.

"Stay here," he ordered Saige. She didn't respond, not even looking at him, instead choosing to continue glaring hatefully at the soldier.

Glen gestured for the young man to follow him out of the room and all the way to the opposite end of the corridor, where Saige wouldn't be able to hear them. He looked around and made sure no one was around before slamming the young soldier against the wall and leaning in close.

"I want you to listen very closely, because I will not repeat myself," he said under his breath.

"You will not touch her again. Your job is to simply escort her to me. Not drag her like a doll. She is a person, and no matter how despicable her race may be, you do not have the clearance to treat her that way. If I hear of this happening again, I will make sure you are discharged in the most horrible way possible. Understood?"

"Y-yes sir. I apologize, sir."

Glen released the young man's uniform jacket and stalked back the way he came without another word. He burst into the gym to find Saige exactly where he'd left her, eyes on the ground this time, staring blankly at nothing. He walked over to her and resisted the urge to grab her arms and ask if she was hurt. He was supposed to hate her.

"Next time you'll dress faster," he said. "I don't want to wait for you again."

"Yes sir," she whispered.

"Ten laps for being late. Go."

She took off immediately, and he blew out a steady stream of air, leaning against the wall. He had to get his emotions under control before she finished running, or they'd never accomplish anything.