An Elvish Tale

Part One: Journey to the Parapet

A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their rider is dead.

-Article One, Section One
 The Dragon Rider's Codex

The sunrise is beautiful to watch, although it is rather bittersweet for me this morning. It's Conscription Day for the twenty-year-old humans across Navarre. Normally, this wouldn't mean anything to me, but I had decided, despite my mother's vehement protests, that I would be enrolling at Basgiath War College right alongside them. I have never left home before and am rather apprehensive about the true extent of the humans' hatred of my kind. There's a lot depending on this and it's crucial I don't accidentally cause another purging. I'm entering the rider's quadrant as that would be the only one worthy of someone of my species. Since I would be the first elf in almost two hundred years to enter the college my father and I have a meeting with General Sorrengail to confirm that my entering the college despite being one hundred twenty years of age is acceptable despite the normal enrollment age being only twenty. 

I keep a stoic and controlled expression as I glance around at the thousands of humans crowding around the gate to Basgiath. It's a rather nice day with only a few clouds in the sky. However, it smells like it will rain soon so the parapet will be slick. The beautiful weather contrasts sharply with the ominous way the crowd parts as the humans move out of our way. I can feel their stares as we pass, our horns and pointed ears not doing us any favors for blending in. Our horses are even stranger than they'd be used to, their massive builds and golden coats giving them a distinct otherness that follows any elf outside of the vale. With little need to navigate the crowds we're able to make it to the gate with ease. My father gives an envelope with the general's seal on it to the guard at the gate. He reads the missive quickly before we're allowed entrance to the college. 

We're quickly lead through the halls towards the staircase to the general's office by a new guard. As we begin up the third flight of stairs my father and I share a glance when we hear the sounds of someone yelling, coming from what I'm assuming to be the General's office at the top of the stairs. None of the guards meet our eye but are quick to give us a sneer as we pass. I'm able to hear the entirety of the familial argument taking place in the General's office and I do my best to piece together what caused it as we go up the stairs. If my father notices my sudden leisurely pace he doesn't comment on it.  

"Damn it, Mom, she can't even handle her rucksack," A strong yet feminine voice snaps at who I'm assuming to be the General.  

 "I'm fine!" The she in question yells, a soft and meek feminine voice. I can't help but listen in at the drama in the hopes of gathering information about the General. Normally I'm a stickler for manners but I don't think humans deserve what they surely wouldn't give to us

"Oh, Violet." The stronger woman's voice says to who I now know as Violet Sorrengail. I'm positive that it's the General's children arguing with her about something. What that something is I'm not sure of, probably something to do with Conscription Day.

"Hi, Mira." Violet says back to who I now know as Mira Sorrengail the bonded rider to Teine. A wonderful and beautiful dragon that let all of the little elflings weave flower chains between his horns. Light danced in my molten gold eyes as I thought of the dragon, it hadn't been long since I saw him last, but I worry for my friend being at war. The sound of Mira's voice snaps me out of my thoughts.

"You can't do this." Mira says to the General. 

"It's already done." The General says as if she wasn't the general and in control of the entire college. I'm beginning to think I know what is being argued about, what with the reputation the name Sorrengail holds. Violet is being forced into the rider's quadrant despite not being prepared and her sister is pissed. It's no surprise Teine's bonded is protective when he is the same way.