Chapter Nine
Contains spoilersOverview
Haunted by Resson, Violet trains to run and harden her mental shields. In Battle Brief, Devera and Markham report gryphon attacks at Sipene and Athebyne; Violet infers the enemy is raiding for weapons. Bodhi keeps her sidelined, while Rhiannon suspects secrecy in the Healer Quadrant. During assessment, a first-year assassin kills Nadine while targeting Violet.
Summary
At dawn, Violet wakes from nightmares of Resson and prepares to run, her back still tender from the previous day’s burns. Imogen joins and presses for the reason, and Violet admits she keeps reliving a venin draining the land—and riders—too fast to outrun if she is far from Tairn. Imogen reframes it as training to become fast enough, and they run.
In Battle Brief, Professor Devera and Colonel Markham report two gryphon attacks: Sipene in the Esben Mountains and the Athebyne outpost. Sipene suffered burned homes and stolen supplies; Athebyne was hit while most dragons were on patrol. Devera confirms one rider killed and several, including herself, wounded. Markham labels the destruction of Resson as Poromish unrest. Violet notes the Athebyne intruders were found near the armory and infers the enemy is raiding for weapons.
After the briefing, Violet asks Bodhi to let her help with covert efforts, but he refuses under Xaden’s orders and tells her to focus on surviving and strengthening shields. Rhiannon later confides that Healer Nolon looked debilitated and was hustled behind a guarded door by Vice Commandant Varrish, suggesting the Healer Quadrant is hiding something. Throughout, Tairn pushes Violet to keep her mental defenses up.
Violet studies United Navarre for ward clues but finds nothing new, then heads to combat assessment. She reassures Rhiannon she isn’t angry about Sawyer being named executive officer and admits she doesn’t want leadership. When Sloane demands to fight Violet, Professor Emetterio refuses and pairs Sloane against Aaric instead.
As matches proceed, a bullish first-year from Second Wing approaches, asking for Sorrengail. Nadine playfully claims to be Violet, and the first-year instantly snaps her neck, killing her on the spot. The assassination attempt aimed at Violet exposes a lethal internal threat and escalates the stakes inside Basgiath.
Who Appears
- Violet Sorrengail
Protagonist; haunted by Resson, trains to run, attends Battle Brief, infers weapon raids, seeks to help, becomes an assassination target.
- Rhiannon Matthias
Friend and squad leader; asks incisive questions in Brief, suspects Healers hiding something, worries Violet is avoiding her.
- Imogen
Ally and trainer; runs with Violet, reframes fear as training, supports her during the day.
- Nadine
Second-year squadmate; jokes during assessment, impersonates Violet, and is killed by a first-year assassin.
- Unnamed bullish first-year (Second Wing)
Assassin; asks for Sorrengail and snaps Nadine’s neck, revealing a targeted internal threat.
- Professor Devera
Rider professor; co-leads Battle Brief, confirms gryphon attacks, wounded at Athebyne, answers cadet questions.
- Colonel Markham
Scribe professor; co-leads Brief, frames Resson as Poromish unrest, provides details while avoiding deeper truths.
- Bodhi Durran
Section leader; refuses Violet’s request to help covert efforts, citing Xaden’s orders; arm in a cast.
- Sloane Mairi
First-year, Liam’s sister; antagonizes Violet and demands a match, but is paired against Aaric.
- Aaric Graycastle
Incognito prince and first-year; assigned to fight Sloane; keeps a low profile during Brief.
- Professor Emetterio
Combat instructor; runs assessment, blocks Sloane from fighting Violet, organizes matches.
- Ridoc
Squadmate; offers commentary, suggests Varrish’s reputation for torture, present at Brief and assessment.
- Dain Aetos
Former friend; present in Brief, cites the Codex against retaliating on civilians.
- Tairn
Violet’s dragon; urges her to keep mental shields constantly up.