Chapter Forty-Five
Contains spoilersOverview
Amid rising frontline casualties, tensions between riders and fliers flare while Professor Trissa introduces rune tempering—stored magic that can be triggered later. She frames it as a wartime equalizer that could empower non-wielders.
After painful attempts, the group forges unlocking runes; Cat finishes first and Violet succeeds by sunset, marking a pivotal new skill set.
Summary
At dawn formation in Aretia, Major Devera reads a death roll of active riders and fliers lost along the Stonewater River, underscoring escalating casualties. Violet steels herself for Mira’s name, which does not come, but witnesses raw gryphon-fliers’ grief. Cat and her drift maintain open hostility toward Violet, blaming her for Luella’s death, keeping tensions high.
Later in the valley, second-year riders and fliers gather with dragons and gryphons. Andarna’s rapid growth shows as she asserts herself protectively, while Tairn warns restraint. Sawyer quietly asks Violet to teach him sign; she agrees. Rhiannon arrives, delighted that her family has safely resettled in Aretia.
Professor Trissa arrives and distributes printed rune diagrams, explaining that “runes” are strands of power woven into geometric patterns and tempered into objects to store specific actions. Demonstrating a heating rune that melts ice on a wooden board, she reveals runes were banned after Navarre’s unification because they let non-signeted users rival riders—an equalizer in war.
Trissa tasks the group with tempering a simple unlocking rune. Separating power proves difficult and dangerous; Sawyer’s first attempt explodes, scorching the grass. Under watch of their bondeds to steady the source, they keep trying as afternoon heat and strain mount.
Cat completes an unlocking rune first, evidencing growing flier strength and intensifying rivalry. By sunset, Violet manages to weave and place an unlocking rune as well, securing a critical new capability as casualties mount on the front and alliances remain uneasy.
Who Appears
- Violet Sorrengail
Feels powerless during death rolls, mediates dragon–gryphon tensions, learns rune tempering, and successfully forges an unlocking rune by sunset.
- Professor Trissa
Assembly instructor who introduces and demonstrates rune tempering, framing it as a banned equalizer; assigns an unlocking rune.
- Cat
Hostile flier drift leader; asserts growing power and completes the unlocking rune first, heightening her rivalry with Violet.
- Rhiannon
Supports Violet; rejoices as her family resettles in Aretia; participates in rune instruction and practice.
- Sawyer
Asks Violet to teach sign; early rune attempt explodes, but persists in training alongside the squad.
- Ridoc
Quips through tension, nearly startles Andarna, helps Sawyer up after the blast, and trains on runes.
- Andarna
Rapidly growing adolescent black dragon; protective and bold, eager to fly, bristles at gryphons.
- Tairn
Imposes discipline and caution during volatile rune attempts; protective of Violet and stern with Andarna.
- Maren
Pragmatic flier; reins in Trager and participates earnestly in the new rune training.
- Trager
Antagonistic flier whose gryphon snaps a warning; skeptical but present for rune training.
- Major Devera
Newly pinned officer who reads the riders’ and fliers’ death rolls during morning formation.
- Jesinia
Assists with the death rolls and helps provide printed rune diagrams via the newly working press.
- Bodhi
Delivers news that second-years were selected for Professor Trissa’s new class in the valley.