Black Wing, Blue Wing

1 - Astrid

"My daughter will be attending Basgiath. When she arrives, and when she succeeds, I either want her back in three years as a soldier, or as a bag of bones. Whichever serves the Navarrian Riders better." —Recovered Correspondance from Helion Hofferson to General Brogan

There are so many things I've been waiting for in my life. This is not one of them.

Rain pours down from the sky, like it's determined to ruin any chances of me getting across the Parapet. I swear on Maelak that Basgiath has a Weather Signet who's sole purpose is to brew a hell of a storm.

The line snakes down from the crumbling stone walls of the War College, like a loyal stream of ants awaiting to serve their queen.

I'm in the line.

I'm ready to serve. Graduate, serve, die.

That's the only plan I've got for my life. Or, plan B, die before I can do the first two, which as time goes on, feels increasingly likely to happen.

"Why the fuck am I even here?" I mutter to myself.

"Oh, I don't know, Astrid," a voice pipes up from behind me. "Maybe because you've got something to prove to the world?"

"What, like you?" I snort as I turn.

Kade stands nearly a full head taller than me, his silver hair flat against his head from the rain. His smirk makes something tick inside me, and he crosses his arms, almost as though he's taunting me. We've known each other for forever, and he's the only person I truly trust.

"Is there something wrong with being me?"

"There are many things."

"List them, then." Kade cocks his head. "I'm curious."

"If you insist. One, you've got no brain. Two, you've got no brain. Three, you've got no brain. And four-"

"Let me guess. I've got no brain?"

"No. You've got no common sense."

"Ah, I knew I was missing something. Thanks for helping me find it."

"Yeah, sure. Whatever." I roll my eyes and turn back to the front. The ladder leading up to the Parapet has several maybe-cadets, maybe-corspes climbing up it. I'll be the first, not the latter.

But once I climb that ladder...

...The chances of living soar down like a fallen dragon, rushing to ground, fighting to get to soil.

Goosebumps prickle against the leather I put on this morning. I can barely stop the tremor that runs up my spine.

As though he senses my thoughts, Kade leans in and whispers in my ear.

"It's not too late to quit, y'know."

I grit my teeth. "I'm not quitting, I'm doing this. Now shut your damn mouth before I make you."

"How are you going to do that? No examples, please, I just want an explanation."

I could just turn around and punch his teeth out of his mouth. "You don't want to know."

"Fair enough."

The person in front of my finally moves, and the ladder sprawls out in front of me. I take hold of the oak rungs, my hands nearly slipping against the wet surface. I hesitate slightly before I begin the climb up.

"Remember," I hear Kade whisper at my back. "Don't look down."

"Wouldn't dream of it," I mutter as I pull myself up, rung after rung.