Chapter Eleven
Contains spoilersOverview
Violet quietly aids Jesinia’s research, then witnesses a rider seized, confirming growing surveillance around dangerous texts. On the flight field, Mira’s letter arrives censored, Dain showcases a running landing, and Varrish pressures Violet to fly Andarna and orders her searched.
That night, amid reports of attacks on allies, Violet learns she was used to test security. Tairn, already laden with secret cargo, launches her toward the front and Xaden.
Summary
After a morning run with Imogen, Violet basks in the comfort of Xaden’s letter but keeps their complications to herself. Jesinia arrives covertly with an early copy of The Gift of the First Six and asks Violet to translate Old Lucerish passages. As they finish, riders drag a second-year away; Jesinia fears her logged book request triggered the seizure, and Violet recognizes how dangerous her research has become.
Later, at the flight field, Rhiannon delivers mail. Violet hopes for Xaden but receives a heavily redacted letter from Mira. Rumors swirl of another black dragon. Major Varrish confronts Violet by Tairn, pressing about Andarna and ordering the feathertail to fly next week; Tairn bristles, Andarna briefly stirs, and Varrish pointedly mentions Violet’s father’s research. Professor Kaori brings in third-years, and Dain Aetos demonstrates a running landing from Cath. Violet and Bodhi judge the maneuver ill-suited for the real war they expect.
A few nights later, Bodhi walks Violet to the field for leave, passing coded messages about a “raw” shipment and revealing multiple assassination attempts on him, as well as attacks on Imogen and Eya. Tairn arrives, but Varrish and two lieutenants intercept, ordering a search of Violet’s bag. Bodhi cites Codex to remain. Nothing incriminating is found, and Varrish threatens punishment for Andarna’s absence from formation.
Afterward, Bodhi admits they anticipated the search and used Violet as a control to test security, angering her. Tairn is already loaded with two large packs. With surveillance tightening and risks rising, Tairn launches, carrying Violet toward the front lines—and Xaden.
Who Appears
- Violet Sorrengail
Protagonist; aids Jesinia’s translation, receives censored mail, endures Varrish’s pressure and search, departs to meet Xaden.
- Major Varrish
Antagonistic officer; confronts Violet about Andarna, orders feathertail to fly, initiates a bag search, threatens punishment.
- Tairn
Violet’s black dragon; protective and menacing toward Varrish, carries hidden cargo, flies Violet out at night.
- Bodhi Durran
Ally and section leader; relays coded messages, reports assassination attempts, admits using Violet to test searches.
- Jesinia
Scribe friend; brings an early rider text, requests Old Lucerish help, fears causing a rider’s seizure.
- Rhiannon
Best friend and squad leader; delivers mail, prods Violet about Xaden, attends training.
- Imogen
Ally and coconspirator; trains with Violet and is later reported attacked.
- Dain Aetos
Wingleader; demonstrates a running landing from Cath before the cadets.
- Professor Kaori
Dragonkind professor; organizes third-year demonstration and instructs running landings.
- Andarna
Young feathertail; briefly wakes, remains hidden, becomes the focus of Varrish’s order.
- Nora
First lieutenant; conducts Varrish’s search of Violet’s bag on the field.
- Ridoc
Squadmate; jokes about land navigation and mentions a possible new black dragon.
- Sawyer
Squadmate; struggles with land navigation, present during mail and formation.
- Professor Markham
Scribe professor; seen as a rider is seized and taken below.
- Cath
Dain’s red dragon; executes the running landing demonstration.