CHAPTER THREE

Summary

• The main character survives what seems to be a deadly trial that involves scaling a parapet.
• She suffers a knee injury in the process but binds it herself to stem the pain.
• A friend named Rhiannon helps her, pulling her aside from the crowd and advising her to watch out for an adversary named Jack.
• Rhiannon and the main character become part of the second squad under the command of Dain Aetos, the main character's old friend.
• Dain is shocked to see the main character in the Riders Quadrant, a dangerous military division, as he expected her to be in the Scribe Quadrant.
• Dain helps the main character get to his quarters, where she can rest and properly treat her knee injury. He insists she needs to go to the Scribe Quadrant to avoid the life-threatening dangers of being a rider.
• Despite Dain's pleas, the main character insists on sticking with the Riders Quadrant because her mother, General Sorrengail, would not let her retreat.
• Commandant Panchek announces that 301 cadets have passed the trial and become riders, but 67 have died in the process. The Commandant also seems to have bigger aspirations, which the main character and her friends speculate on.

• The chapter begins with Panchek, an instructor addressing a group of cadets about their journey to becoming dragon riders. Only about a quarter of them are expected to graduate.
• A woman named Nyra, the senior wingleader, steps forward to organize the cadets into sections and squads. The protagonist is placed in Second Squad, Flame Section, Second Wing, led by a person named Dain.
• A notable member of this group appears to be Xaden, who has a cold and calculating demeanor, and appears to harbor some animosity towards the protagonist.
• Dain’s squad is then switched with another squad, meaning they are now under Xaden’s command in Fourth Wing. The protagonist realises with dread that she is now completely at Xaden’s mercy.
• Xaden declares that their squad are the only people who won’t kill them, challenging them to earn their dragons.
• Dragons then unexpectedly fly toward the group, landing and showcasing their size and lethal potential. Some cadets are so frightened by the sight that they run off and are immediately executed, increasing the day's death toll to seventy.
• The protagonist remains resolute and refuses to be intimidated by the dragons, despite her inner doubts and fears.
• Xaden mocks the remaining cadets for their previous confidence, asking them if they still feel invincible with the harsh reality now resonating with them.
• The chapter ends with Xaden's sobering statement, stating that, to the dragons, the cadets are mere prey.