Archive of Our Own

The following are all excerpts from communications between Wingleader Xaden Riorson stationed at Basgiath and Lieutenant Colonel Brennan Aisereigh in Aretia pertaining to Violet Sorrengail between the months of July and January. They have been transcribed and deciphered by Cadet Bodhi Durran, who maintained copies without the permission of either party.

—

I have other news that will be of concern to you, Brennan. Violet Sorrengail crossed the parapet yesterday instead of entering the Scribe Quadrant. She survived. I overheard her confirm that her mother forced her conscription into the Rider’s Quadrant. She does not seem to share any of her mother’s loyalties to Navarre, but we cannot be sure. 

I will keep an eye out on her. 

—

What do you mean she crossed the parapet? Violet isn’t built for a place like the Rider’s Quadrant. This isn’t a funny joke and we’ll take this to the mat on your next visit. 

Write back immediately.

—

My apologies for my last communication. We received the new class of cadets list from our informant in Basgiath this morning. Violet really did cross the parapet. I thought I had reached the height of the horrors the General has committed, but I still find myself being surprised. 

You have to try to help keep her safe. Anything can happen in that quadrant. Keep the other marked ones away from her and anyone else with a grudge. 

I’ll expect you to keep command posted on all of her activities. 

—

It has been over a month and Violet Sorrengail is still alive. She has successfully won her first four challenges. She is the top of her class in History, Dragon Lectures, Math, and Battle Brief. The only subject she struggles with is Physics. Most of her squad is protective of her, which she returns in equal measure. I’m keeping an eye out for all likely threats. 

She does not display aggression to any of the marked ones at all, but they are all aware that they cannot touch her. She even made friends with Luperco, who she saved on the parapet by dispatching another candidate. Yes, dispatched meaning death. He deserved it.  

It’s my opinion that she’s going to survive. 

—

I knew she wouldn’t struggle in classes. How is she winning challenges? She killed someone on the parapet? What happened? 

Respectfully, I don’t give a shit what your opinion is when it comes to Violet. I need more information. Keep me informed or else.  

—

Or else? Please elaborate. Since I’m the one here watching her, my opinion is all that I can offer. I’ll be the one with blood on my hands if someone comes for her outside of a challenge. 

It’s my opinion that she’s poisoning cadets to even the playing field during challenges. I assume we have you to thank for that. 

I don’t know what other information you want. She killed an asshole who threatened both her and Luperco in line, by throwing one of her daggers. It was raining and he was probably triple her size. Your sister is developing quite the reputation for herself here, even if she's covering her tracks when it comes to poison.

—

Poison? That does sound like Violet. She's always been good at scheming. The daggers, less so. 

I understand exactly what you’re risking and what you’re willing to do, Xaden, and I appreciate it. But don’t think for a moment I won’t gut someone for my sister. Even if it’s just for information on her well-being. So respectfully, keep your opinions to a minimum. 

—

Or you’ll gut me? You’re welcome to try.

Brennan, you probably do not want to hear this but I am almost certain that your sister can be trusted with the truth. I have been observing her and she is clearly investigating the inconsistencies in Navarre on her own. If someone other than me connects the dots, she could be in serious danger here. She will be safer if I can share information with her instead of forcing her to look for it on her own.

She's not like your mother. She's not like anyone.

Note: The prior text was scratched out on the copy that Xaden gave to Bodhi to be encoded. Bodhi did not include it in the letter to Brennan, but he made note of it for himself.  

—

No, Xaden. I swear to the Gods that you better leave Violet out of this. She has enough to worry about, especially now. She needs to survive so many more obstacles before she should have to face the truth. The Gauntlet is this week. 

I know she's nothing like our mother. She's so much better than all of us and that's why we need to keep safe and keep her out of this. She's always been curious, so nothing much has changed. Continue to watch over her make sure she doesn't get too close. 

I know you can’t do anything for her in the Gauntlet and during Threshing but 

Keep command posted on the results for Violet and all the Aretian cadets.  

—

Violet passed the Gauntlet and survived Presentation today. I will not have time to receive any communication before she enters Threshing but I will send you another letter as soon as I can.

She will survive and she will continue her hunt for the truth. Frankly, I think you are underestimating her ability to find it all on her own. 

Curiosity implies a passing interest, like a cat with a toy. Make the toy boring or too difficult to reach, and they'll give up. Violet is more a true predator on the hunt, looking at her target unblinkingly until her moment comes to strike. She is a woman on a mission, and I assume we are both aligned in wanting her to be our ally rather than our enemy. 

Don't bother writing back until my next update. 

—

Violet survived Threshing. She claimed the black dragon Tairn and the golden feathertail Andarna. 

There was an attempt on her life in the field and she was injured. Nothing life-threatening. A dark wielder was in the wards, and there is evidence that he was able to channel. Do you know anything about this?

It is fair to say that you have lost the ability to decide what your sister knows. She is now well-aware of the true enemy and the reality of the rebellion. Tairn will not lie to his rider, so I think it’s time to wrap your head around her involvement. 

—

Violet could never be my enemy. Stop acting like I don't know my sister and how determined she can be. 

I received your second letter and I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Of course my sister’s dragon is Tairn. Of course she claimed two dragons, and one of them ties her to you for the rest of her career. She’s never done anything the easy way. 

I do not agree with sharing any other information with Violet at this time but there is nothing we can do about what her dragon tells her. Just because she knows some of the details doesn't mean we need to bring her into this. 

Continue to keep her safe. People are going to be going after her. We’ll investigate the existence of dark wielders inside the wards. 

—

Yes, our dragons are mated. Tairn is exceptionally protective of his new rider. They make a great pair. The golden feathertail is also fiercely protective of her. 

Additionally, Violet is becoming formidable on the mat with her daggers. She has her poisons. My point is that I may be keeping an eye on her, but she is keeping herself safe. She is already in this. 

I strongly disagree that we should not share information with Violet. She is dedicated towards helping, and I am certain we can trust her. Her support is vital and Tairn will be essential in the battles ahead. Regarding this, I would like to inform her of your true identity earlier rather than later. I think it will help us both with the potential fallout. 

If you send along a letter, I will share it with her. I know that she would want to hear from you. It will make it easier. 

—

You’re overstepping, Xaden. You are not the authority here. You don’t get to tell me anything about Violet. She’s my little sister. I don’t care if your dragons are mated. I don’t care if you’ve been looking out for her. You don’t know her like I do, and you don’t have a leg to stand on when it comes to telling me what would be best for her.

Everything I have done has been for her, even if she doesn’t know and can’t see that now. 

You will not be sharing my identity under any circumstances. If Violet joins the rebellion in any capacity, it will be after she graduates. 

—

I’m overstepping? You seem to think that I’m under your command, Brennan. Let me disabuse you of that notion. 

I thought you were a strategist, not an optimist. There has already been one attempt on her life, and you act like she’s not already a part of this. More than that, you act like this enemy is going to sit around and wait more than two years for her to graduate. May I remind you about the dark wielders in the wards that you have no answer for? It’s time to be logical here. Violet would appreciate that. 

We both care about keeping her safe. I would never do anything to endanger her and keeping her in the dark is the wrong way to go. I tried that, and it almost backfired on me. I respect you, Brennan, but I’m not going to lie to her for you. 

Write the letter. 

—

Xaden, you do not get to make any decisions about Violet. I appreciate that you’ve gotten to know her and inconvenienced yourself to help keep her safe, but you need to understand that this isn’t any of your fucking business.

Why do you care so much about her knowing about me? It will take no effort from you to keep your mouth shut. 

And don’t act like I don’t understand the severity of what we’re facing. I know things are fucked, but that doesn’t mean that it has to be her problem. 

—

Have you asked yourself why she’s been looking into Navarre’s secrets? She has her own reasons and motivations for joining this fight and it’s not up to either of us. I’m just trying to respect her intelligence and save us both some heartbreak. She is going to find out someday. I have no doubt. Either you can write a letter and explain with your own words, or you can find yourself in trouble with the person you’ve been trying to protect. 

It is time you consider the fact that she has changed in the last six years. She may not be the little girl you taught about poisons at seven, who used to climb trees despite how badly she got hurt and decipher coded letters from her father. She’s still in there. Smart, determined, brave. But she’s also strong and fiercely protective of her people and a little bit vicious. I’m sorry to say this, Bren, but I am betting on her stubbornness over your own.

I am saying this as clearly as I can. 

For the final time, write the fucking letter. 

—

Don’t tell me that I don’t know my sister. She is exactly who she has always been and that person is stronger than the both of us. But her strength looks different. 

More importantly, why the fuck do you know all that? What do you know about her reasons and motivations? How close have you gotten to my sister, Riorson? I understand if you admire her. She’s amazing. But don’t forget that she’s a first-year in your command and any inappropriate rumors in the quadrant can make her life much more difficult. 

I’m not writing a letter. You are not telling her. That is final. 

—

Don’t write the letter then, Brennan. That’s your choice. Remember that I warned you. 

While we’re being so forthright, let me say that it’d be in your best interest to stop pretending you can order me around. I do not answer to you. You’re not even the Sorrengail I’m most worried about upsetting. In fact, you’re going to get yourself hurt at this rate. 

I told you that I care about Violet. You’re right that I admire her. How could I not? We talk and I listen to her. That’s why I know about her and her motivations and her childhood memories. That’s why I know what she’s capable of. The lengths she’s willing to go to. Things that she may tell you herself one day. 

I know the Violet that she is today. The rider that she is. The Violet you could get the chance to know too if you got your head out of your ass. 

Oh, my apologies—if you got your head out of your ass, sir. 

—

Fuck you. I don’t give a shit about your shadows or your dragon, Xaden. I don’t even give a shit about your titles. Not when it comes to my little sister. You don’t get to threaten me. 

If you have information about Violet, you are obligated to share it with command, cadet. All of this talk of admiration is making me think that you didn’t read the warning in my last letter. In case I wasn’t clear enough, don’t get any ideas, Riorson. 

I told you once and I’ll tell you again. I don’t care about your opinions when it comes to Violet. 

I am dead serious. Do not tell my sister about me. Do not share any more details about your activities and Aretia. This wasn’t what she was meant for. Not yet, and certainly not like this. Respect that. 

—

There was another attempt on the life of Violet Sorrengail. I dispatched six unbonded cadets who broke into her room at night. Two other conspirators were executed by Tairn at formation, including one of the Wingleaders, Amber Mavis. 

Violet incapacitated four of the six attackers by the time I entered her room. She walked away without a scratch. I understand you’re her brother, but who are you to say what she is meant for? 

I wasn’t threatening you, Brennan. I was referring to what Violet is going to do to you someday the longer you make her wait to make contact. 

Let’s be crystal fucking clear that I’m not obligated to share shit with you about Violet. She’s not an Aretian resource or a suspect of anything. Command is owed fuck-all when it comes to her, Lieutenant Colonel. And I mean that as disrespectfully as possible, for anyone else reading this communication. Don’t get any funny fucking ideas. 

The information you receive is out of the kindness of my heart because I know what you and Violet mean to each other. 

You don’t care about my opinions? That’s too fucking bad. I’m full of opinions about Violet that aren’t going anywhere. 

—

Violet could take out an entire squad barehanded and I will still make the hard decisions to protect her. Always. Even if she hates me for it some day. Maybe that’s the difference between us. I’m okay with her hating me if she’s safe. Are you? 

In fact, if she’s so good at taking care of herself, feel free to stay away from her for now on, Riorson. I mean it. If you can’t listen to her without revealing classified information that could get her killed, you shouldn’t be talking to her at all. Frankly, I think you should keep your distance anyways. The last thing she needs is people thinking she’s involved with her Wingleader. I know that I asked you to keep an eye out on her, but now I'm telling you to let her take care of herself. 

I never said she was a resource, asshole. I don’t know how many more times I can repeat that she’s my sister. 

And I’m the first person to receive your letters. They don’t go to the council before my review, and redaction. I'm the only one that knows the code. Do you really think I’d release any information about her that wasn’t necessary? Don’t be ridiculous. 

I’ve read back some of your letters and I’m getting nervous, Xaden. Tell me the truth. Have you told her?

—

I don't care what you asked me to do, or what you want me to do next. I’m not staying away from her, Brennan. Not unless she asks me to. 

I’ll continue to keep you posted on her activities if they are relevant.  

—

Everything about Violet is relevant to me. You didn’t answer my question. Have you told her? 

And what the fuck is going on between you and my little sister? First I find out that you ordered her a dozen Tyrrish daggers, and now you’re refusing to give her space. You’re being deliberately frustrating and I’m not liking the conclusions I’m coming to. 

You can be a dick but this is pushing it. You’ll have to come back here and face me eventually. The upside of being a mender is that I can hurt you real bad, fix it, and then hurt you again. 

—

Do you think it’s funny to ignore everything I have to say about my sister? I am still waiting on more updates about Violet, and answers to my questions. Not answering them makes me assume the worst. 

—

Riorson, this is the third letter without any updates on my sister or any answers. This isn’t fair. 

—

There are no relevant updates on Violet Sorrengail. But I thought I’d let you know that I’m still laughing about you crying out at the unfairness of being denied answers. That’s all. I’ll check in again at the scheduled time. 

About what is relevant, of course.