Chapter Fifty
Contains spoilersOverview
Felix pushes Violet to refine her lightning, teaching her to sustain and meter power instead of striking blindly. Xaden returns early with grim news: venin and wyvern have captured Pavis, and Nyra Voldaren is killed. Leadership recalls lieutenants and considers restructuring as Pavis becomes a likely staging ground against Draithus.
Summary
In the snow, Felix drills Violet on precision, having her maintain a controlled trickle of lightning into a conduit rather than unleashing full strikes. By metering Tairn’s power, Violet sustains a thin arc across a growing gap, glimpsing true control before she overdraws and looses a wild bolt into the mountainside.
Felix frames her training as the shift from battle-ax to dagger, sets an ambitious distance goal by Monday, and asks her to tell Xaden they are needed in the Assembly at five. Through their bond, Violet senses Xaden’s weary return but gets no details, and Tairn confirms Sgaeyl is unharmed.
Back in the valley, Violet notes Andarna’s progress extending a wing, then heads into Riorson House, where she meets Garrick, Bodhi, and an injured Heaton. They report that venin and a hoard of wyvern overran Pavis before riders arrived; Mira ordered a withdrawal after Nyra Voldaren fell, drained with her dragon like Soleil and Fuil. Emery was injured and sent to healers.
All first and second lieutenants are recalled to Aretia to regroup, with leadership likely to restructure wings given the fluid front. Garrick and Bodhi judge Pavis a strategic staging point for an assault on Draithus, and Violet recognizes the threat is moving directly toward them.
Who Appears
- Violet Sorrengail
Trains to finely control lightning; sustains a measured arc; learns of Pavis’s fall and looming threat to Draithus.
- Felix
Instructor who teaches Violet precise, sustained channeling using a conduit; sets goals and summons them to Assembly.
- Xaden Riorson
Returns early, weary; calls for an Assembly meeting; his bond with Violet underscores the gravity of the news.
- Tairn
Violet’s dragon; urges confidence, praises her progress, and confirms Sgaeyl is unharmed.
- Garrick
Reports the fall of Pavis and Nyra’s death; expects wing restructuring amid a fluid front.
- Heaton
Injured rider from the Pavis mission; confirms Mira’s retreat order and civilian defense attempt.
- Bodhi
Assesses Pavis as a strategic staging point for an attack on Draithus.
- Andarna
Young dragon showing progress extending a wing; a brief moment of levity amid grim news.
- Mira Sorrengail
Orders a withdrawal from Pavis; escorts injured Emery to healers; survives the overrun.
- Nyra Voldaren
Senior wingleader killed at Pavis, drained with her dragon; her loss signals escalating stakes.