CHAPTER NINETEEN

Summary

• In this chapter, the protagonist was saved from an attack in her bedroom. Oren, a male character, was holding a blade to her neck before he was forced to drop it. The protagonist was bruised and injured in the attack.
• Another male character, Xaden, entered the room and controlled the situation, efficiently killing six attackers. He demanded explanations from others present, such as Colonel Lewis Markham.
• Xaden was harsh with the protagonist and escorted her out of her room despite her injuries. They navigated through the dormitory via a hidden tunnel that led them to the open air.
• Tension is obviously present between Xaden and the protagonist – there is a clear power dynamic. The protagonist, whilst supposedly the weaker of the pair, does not display any fear around him.
• Xaden can communicate with some dragons, including Tairn; he directly challenges this dragon, demanding to know why he ‘gifted’ powers to the protagonist. Tairn and another dragon named Sgaeyl discuss the gifts that dragons provide upon bonding with humans. A dragon named Andarna explains that certain dragons should not bond because they can inadvertently give their gifts to the humans they bond with. Andarna reveals that she is a feathertail dragon, an immature form of dragon only two years old.
• The protagonist is surprised and angry that a juvenile dragon was allowed to bond and be trained for war. Another character called Bodhi is introduced at the end but does not have a significant role in this chapter.

• Xaden confronts Sgaeyl about Andarna, a hatchling, suspecting she is secretly his child. Sgaeyl dismisses the idea, indicating the importance of the right age for bonding.
• Tairn reveals that Andarna's parents passed before her hatching, and she has many elders. However, he also raises a concern about her participation in the Threshing field due to her unpredictable powers.
• Tairn compares the unpredictability of Andarna's powers to giving a toddler a significant symbol of authority, like a signet. Early bonding can enable the giver of the gift to directly impact the recipient and could lead to physical and emotional damage.
• The protagonist learns of Andarna's special ability as a Feathertail, the power to briefly pause time. This realization shocks everyone, including Xaden.
• Tairn, Sgaeyl, and Xaden agree to keep Andarna's unique ability a secret, fearing she would be hunted if others knew.
• The protagonist promises Andarna not to reveal her ability. She also worries about her own safety, fearing retaliation from Professor Carr as he had previously killed someone with a unique ability.
• Xaden reassures the protagonist, insisting that no one will disclose Andarna's gift. He also mentions that feathertail gifts may disappear as they mature.
• Before going their separate ways, the protagonist thanks Andarna for her help. The protagonist continues to reflect on the implications of Andarna's powers, specifically how they can be exploited for personal gain.
• Xaden insists on the protagonist promising not to tell anyone about Andarna's gift, stating that secret abilities can be a valuable form of currency. He then suddenly brings up the topic of how unbonded cadets got into the protagonist's room.
• The protagonist mentions the presence of a mysterious rider who might have unlocked her room. Xaden urges her to trust him and reveal the rider's identity.