Burnt Wick

Preemptive

THE windows are cold to the touch. The day was barely beginning yet I sit here, staring up at a crowded sky full of grey clouds just waiting to pour and soak me to the bone. What luck honestly seeing as today is the one day where I wish I could control the weather. Rain like this was good for days where you could stay indoors reading or cooking or dancing or- anything. Absolutely anything except what I've got to face today.

The Parapet; The 'technical' first challenge of the Riders Quadrent to prove you at least have the ability to balance if you get to make it far enough to ride on the back of a dragon. Of course before this they make you take both a written and agility exam to just get the standards minimum. My father is a dragon rider, General Melgren and his black dragon Codagh, and since I turned to the double digits I have been broken, shaped and revised on training my body to not only survive the Riders Quadrent, but to survive having such an infamous last name. That is depending who you ask of course, that kind of statement could cause a mixture of opinions to say the least.

When the Rebellion had finally been squandered, the leading Generals deemed it fit to execute all adults associated with the treasonous act. As his daughter I had no clue to any of this war, this bloodshed, just that my father turned his back to me and became colder. Harsher. Not the man he once was. I was only 15 when I got my first glimpse of it all in my own home no less and that was when I realised I did not know the people around me, I did not know the people in front of me. I watched as every single child of the traitors, all 107, were marked with dragon fire and scars. There was only so much could do as a child and even at my best I was still powerless.

It's been 5 years since then and after so many sleepless nights training and studying, I can finally step closer to my death. Or my dragon.

"Ma'am, the General has requested for you in his office urgently." I looked behind me, eyes straying from the window and over the room that raised me for so long now littered with wooden boxes of my things ready for storage. "Of course, I will go there momentarily." Stopping me mid turn, the guard that had invited himself into my room caught me. "General Melgren wishes to see you urgently." Seems it wasn't exactly a request now was it? I sighed, getting up and leaving the window side and passing by the guard which now followed behind me to walk down the corridor. Black stone on all sides of me, dark weathered wood beneath my feet gave the whole place a gothic but regal vibe. Mage lights light up in uniform as i reach a strong set of wooden doors.

"That'll do Oliver. Thank you for your continued service to me all these years." As if the poor man had a choice. Ever since the rebellion it seems a body guard has been necessary to keep watch of my every movements.

He nods and leaves me to my thoughts and the door in front of me. I see flickers of shadow and light coming from the cracks underneath and decide to not prolong this conversation. I know it will either be incredibly predictable or have too many hidden meanings to keep the Melgren image up. Gods I forget how heavy these doors are. "You seem to arrive on time this morning. My daughter usually waits for too long. I would hope you aren't anxious." While he did have a poin, he didn't need to do me like that. Sat at his desk was my father, hands clasped together and elbows on the table. His eyes bore into mine and I stared back down my nose. "Why would a Melgren need to be anxious when it is in our blood to succeed over others?" the typical ego boost. Not for me, this is all acting dribble, but it was definitely a good way to end a conversation with him quickly and as civil as possible. "You are going to be a first year cadet by the end of this evening. Your name will make you a target and other cadets will go for the kill. Every. Time. You are my daughter. You will not let them." My fathers words were sharp and to the point. Emphasizing I am his daughter was not uncommon, it was just another way to tell me to stay in line and to not ruin his name, his reputation.