A Wedding in the midst of War

Our mother is batshit crazy

Conscription Day is the deadliest. 

I exit my mother the General Sorrengail 's office with a infuriated Mira, my sister on my heels
''She is batshit crazy. She is going to get you killed and she doesn't even see it''
''Mira, I am going to be okay. I am be ... petite as you pointed out repeatedly inside but I will cross Parapet''
My sister holds my shoulder and stops. I reluctancly turn to her
''Violet, just so we are clear. I know you will survive Parapet. To be honest, I think you will be the best rider in the Sorrengail family with or without your differences''
Yeah, well it's not exactly an option so I guess I am doing it with my ''differences''. I think I am supposed to be relieved that my only sibling in this vicinity thinks I can make it.
''... What I am furious about is the fact she choose this 6 months ago. Every single one of the candidates have been training for this since diapers. You can not resume years of physical training in a few months'' She sighs sadly, looks down to the many candidates of every Quadrant: Healer, Infantry, Scribe (the one I should be candidating for) and... Riders

''Never mind that now, I tried.'' She faces me
''I want to understand that if I could I would change the General's decree but since that isn't possible. I am going to do the exact same thing Brennan did for me.'' 

Brennan is ...was my older brother, the eldest before he was murdered by the Great Betrayer during the Tyrrish uprising.

I don't hate Him and the Tyrrish for the uprising but I would have preferred him with me right now. They are ...were fighting for what is right. 

Brennan used to talk about his war days and he and Dad told me the ultimate secret. Something so bad that the entire Navarrian gouvernment is trying to hide. I hate them for that. I hate that they are cowards. I mostly hate my mother for her part in it. She knew and caused so much hurt. HE was never the same since that day. And I hate her for that. 

Mira gives a pair of leather clothes, rider boots and a... corset
''I had made it especially you with Teine's scales sewn in'' I lift my eyebrow. How...
''I happen to know a rider whose powers can make big things smaller and ... smaller things much much bigger''
I lift both eyebrows
''I mean, how much bigger?'' We laugh
''Now they are shelths for your daggers. I figured a sword would be too heavy for you but daggers should work. Right now, you have 4 but you will gain more.
Now, being as stubborn as you are, you are probably not going to cut your hair so turn around. I am going to braid it like a crown while I cramp up the most basic and useful knowledge you need.'' She pulls my long brown that fades into silver hair into a crown. Mira goes over all the basics so rapidly that I am surprised she has time to breathe.

She then repacks my rucksack occassionally throwing all but one book: Poisonning your opponent. I was supposed to rewrite history. I was supposed to set the record straight as a Scribe. I was supposed to spend my life around books not throw them away to lighten my bag to ensure me crossing the Parapet. This isn't fair. Why? Why?

''Violet'' I startle and listen to my sister again
''I don't want to be an only child''
''You won't, Mira. I promise''
She just doesn't know that even if something did happen to me, she wouldn't be a only child. I hate keeping this from her but I promised him and Dad. 

We walk to the southern west tower to the sign up sheet. There are some many candidates here. As soon as the bell rings, the desorder becomes order and 4 lines are formed. I watch a group of students enter the underground tunnel. That was supposed to be me. Damn the General. 

''Wait'' I feel someone pull me backwards
''I forgot to tell you something. When you cross the Parapet, find Dain Aetos. From what I heard, he is a Squad Leader. He can protect you''
I know what she is trying to do but there is no way I am going to Aetos for your protection. Would rather jump from the Parapet willingly. Of course, she must misunderstood my reaction as something else cause

''No.. no..Get your head out of the gutter. There is nothing worse then rumours that a First year slept his or her way to safety. You should get laid just restrict it to your year''
''Noted, get laid cause who knows but stay in your year'' If only she knew.
''Also, before I forget, Xaden Riorson is a 3rd year at Basgaith''
''Riorson as in...''
''Yes that Riorson or his son at least''
''What is he doing here?'' Like I already didn't know
''Proof of loyalty and he is a Wingleader''
Wingleader? How? Now, that is a surprise
''STAY.AWAY.FROM.HIM'' Yeah, not going to be possible

Eventually, I arrive at a table at the bottom of the stairs. Here we go

''Name?'' a very bored rider says. The inscriptions literally started 10 min ago, how... Never mind they are riders. Pricks
''Violet Sorrengail... and before you say anything, yes that Sorrengail, yes she has 2 daughters, yes I was supposed to going to the Scribe but I voluntold. Can I pass now?''
This day is painful enough. I really don't want to make it any worse
The rider looks shocked, calls a Scribe probably to inform the Scribe Quadrant that they just lost their most promising candidate. 

''Lieutenant Sorrengail, you know the way''
''Yes, I do.''
Mira and I walk pass the duet at the table. I adjust the straps as I get closer and closer to the staircase entrance. I turn to Mira, inhale deeply and hug my sister. At first, she is puzzled but responds immediately after. 
''I will see on the over side. I can't wait for next year when I will be able to send letters. I want to know more about your rider with the smaller things made big powers'' I wink at her and we laugh
''Don't die, Violet. I would hate being an only child'' I nod.
We hug one last time. I turn to the staricase and climb the first steps

Mira is right
Our mother is batshit crazy