The General's Daughter

Parapet

Chapter 1

Parapet

Long ago. General Melgren fell in love with a woman in the Healer Quadrant and they fell in love and married. Soon, the woman was pregnant with their first. Even though Melgren was busy as the General of all the Riders, he found time to be home, hoping for a son. His wife died during childbirth, but gave birth to a little girl to Melgren's dislike. Alexandra or Alex, by her friends, was raised by her fathers parents, who were more like parents to her, and as she got older, her father started her training to join the Rider Quadrant with her Grandfather's help. General Melgren treated his daughter like a soldier, not a daughter. During the Tyrrish Rebellion, Alexandra witnessed when her father give the orders to his dragon Cododagh to execute the leaders. She felt there was more to the story of what really happened then what her father was letting on.

Alexandra walked down the halls of Basgiath, heading for her father's office. Her long blonde hair that she inherrited from her mother was braided down her back. She was 5,8" with stunning sea green eyes. Everyone said she looked more like her mother then her father. It was the day she was going to cross the Parapet to join the Riders Quardrant. Daggers covered her chest and on her thighs. She hid two daggers in each of her boots. She prefered daggers over swords. Alex reached her fathers door and knocked.

"Come in." The General called. Alex opened the door and stepped into his office. "Alexandra." Her father stood up. Alexandra kept her distance, not wanting to get to close to her father. He studied her as she dropped her rucksack to the floor. Her boots were new and ready for crossing the Parapet. Alex lifted her chin and kept a straight face. "Don't give me that defiant look. I can maybe decide to hold you back another year or send you to the Healer Quadrant." Alex didn't want that. She wanted to be a rider and her best friend Violet was joining the Riders as well instead of the Scribe Quadrant under her mothers orders.

"Yes, General." Alexandra said. She was never allowed to call him father. It just showed how much he wanted a son more then a daughter. Maybe she could prove with being a dragon rider, but Alex knew nothing would impress her father.

"You will only address as General when your in the Rider Quadrant. I will not favor you over the other Cadets." General Melgren said. Alex wasn't surprised. This was the same as usual. He probably be happy if a dragon killed her. "Keep an eye on the Sorrengail girl. She might be attacked for being weak. There is potential with her. Look at her sister and brother."

"Yes, General." Alex said. There was no point in arguing.

"And stay away from the marked ones." The General said. Alex looked at him. He was talking about the ones that had the Rebellion Relic on them after her fathers dragon executed their families.

"General. I will be dealing with them depending on my Squad." Alex said. The General stiffened and Alex flinched away from him. It was a reaction from years of physical and emotional abuse. The General sighed.

"Riorson is Wingleader of Fourth Wing. And he'll want you and the Sorrengail girl dead. Avoid them at all costs. I will not have a child of mine killed when you have potential to be a strong rider. And you will not tarnish my name being involved with them." General Melgren said, nearly spatting the words. Alex looked at her father in shock. It was the first comment she ever got from him. "Now go. I don't want you to be one of the last ones to the parapet." Alex picked up her rucksack and swung it over her shoulder. "Don't disappoint me, daughter."

"Yes, father." Alex said and stepped out in the hall. Alex leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. A tear slid down her check. Her Grandparents had died almost five years ago and her grandfather was able to keep her father in check with her. Soon as he was gone. The verbal attacks were harsher and meaner. Joining the Rider Quadrant was an escape. She knew he would be her Commander but she'll make sure to stay far away from him when she graduated. Alex walked out and headed towards the place that would take her to the Parapet.