Chapter Sixteen

Summary

• The narrator visits the Archives and speaks in sign language with Jesinia, who is transcribing an account for Aoife.
• Jesinia and the narrator discuss the importance of truth in reports and narratives.
• Jesinia reveals that Jacek was killed for searching for a non-existent account of a border attack; she blames herself for sending his request up the command chain.
• The narrator asks Jesinia why she did not record her own similar request the previous year, and Jesinia responds that she didn't want to be embarrassed and also had begun to suspect a gap in the Archives.
• Jesinia implies she may also believe that there is something wrong with the Archives and agrees to help the narrator in secret.
• Jesinia plans to discreetly hand over texts about the formation of the wards to the narrator on Saturdays.
• The narrator describes her day observing cadet challenges, showcasing tension between herself and others due to past actions and alliances.
• Cadet Sloane is set to fight Dasha, and the narrator intervenes by discreetly drugging Dasha to ensure Sloane wins.
• After the match, the narrator confronts Sloane about the interference and bargains with Sloane’s training in exchange for letters written by Sloane's deceased brother, Liam.
• Jesinia gives the narrator a classified text about the history of the First Six for study.
• Varrish, a suspicious character, escorts the narrator to her dragon and makes veiled threats about the need for protection and notes about her squad.
• The narrator finishes the chapter feeling frustrated because Xaden is on duty and she's unable to see him as anticipated.