Competing Visions

"Andraste is too young to determine her path." The Superior Mother explained. "She needs to be at least 10 years old to find out whether she is suited to become a mech pilot. If this possibility is denied from her, then she will need additional time to choose what she wants to become instead."

"I already know what I want to do! I want to become a swordmaster!" Andraste whined.

The Superior Mother smiled at her granddaughter. "There are more ways for you to become strong than to wield a sword, especially now that we have entered the Age of Dawn."

"I don't care! I want to become a swordmaster!" The little girl repeated.

Both Ves and Cynthia knew that Andraste might actually stick to this conviction a few years later.