At sunset on the second day, Violet’s mixed squad realizes they’ve failed the land-navigation exercise after following mismatched maps, backtracking across creeks, and narrowly avoiding a Red Daggertail. Exhausted and blistered, Violet takes watch, accepts food from Cadet Dyre—who swears a life debt for her saving him—and tries to hold the squad together.

Rhiannon quietly confronts Violet about her growing secrecy: hiding Andarna, training with Imogen, not discussing Xaden or War Games, and isolating to read. She orders Violet to sleep, vowing to wait for honesty but refusing to be lied to, leaving Violet sleepless but without nightmares.

In the morning, professors arrive with a convoy, announce the squad had been wandering the Hadden Woods, and distribute waterskins. The sweet drink lifts the blanket on Violet’s bonds and signet, proving leadership can sever—and restore—them at will. Dragons land, startling the infantry. The riders depart, unsettled by how “violating” the bond-dulling felt. Tairn confirms it’s a new, unwelcome development; Rhiannon cites other troubling signs this year, while Violet deflects.

Before departure, Violet asks Tairn about Sgaeyl. Tairn saw Sgaeyl briefly after Baide left but refused to stay out of range from Violet. Though told they’ll reunite in a week, Violet senses they won’t, underscoring eroding trust in leadership and the mounting strain on her closest relationships.