Violet awakens bound in the Basgiath brig, disoriented and cut off from Tairn by a suppressing serum Nolon administered. Major Varrish, with Lieutenant Nora (a truth-sayer), interrogates her about the theft of Lyra’s journal. Violet answers with selective truths to protect her allies, but Varrish escalates, dislocating and breaking her bones when she refuses to name accomplices.

Over multiple days, Violet is repeatedly drugged, mended, and broken again. She hallucinates Liam, who steadies her resolve as Varrish reveals his signet—he sees weaknesses—and identifies her loved ones as leverage. He admits the broader goal: use Violet as bait to draw Xaden into a trap. Violet counters that Tairn hunts Solas, but Varrish promises to shatter her until Xaden arrives.

With leadership summoned to address border incidents and rumors circulating that Riorson deserted, Varrish calls Dain Aetos to extract Violet’s memories. Framed as treason, the questioning seeks proof of a “second rebellion.” Violet seizes the attempt, dragging Dain through the truth of Resson—venin, wyvern, blue fire, and Liam’s death—then overwhelms him with her recent pain. Dain recoils yet fixates on seeing weapons runs, concluding they are smuggling armaments.

Varrish presses for locations and hands Dain Violet’s alloy-embedded dagger. Dain appears ready to kill her, but as alarms rise, he pivots: Varrish suddenly staggers, bleeding, and Dain uses the bloodied knife to cut Violet free. He holds off Nora while helping Violet stand.

Before Nora can intervene, a new assailant with gold-flecked onyx eyes slices her throat, killing her instantly. The cell devolves into chaos as Violet, barely mobile, faces an unexpected rescue, Varrish wounded, and the interrogators’ trap abruptly reversed.